By GARY WASHBURN, SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

Published 10:00 pm, Thursday, January 12, 2006

Ray Allen expressed regret Thursday about his brawl with Orlando's Keyon Dooling that caused his first NBA ejection Wednesday night and perhaps his first league suspension. The Sonics' leading scorer also stressed that he has a breaking point and will defend himself if necessary.

Allen, who left KeyArena Wednesday without speaking to the media, spoke with league officials Thursday morning about the wrestling match with Dooling that spilled into the stands in the second quarter of the Sonics' 113-104 victory.

Allen is hoping his pristine reputation and Dooling's actions will influence the NBA to limit the penalty to a fine.

"A game suspension for me is too much. I don't want to miss playing (tonight against the Miami Heat)," he said. "Most people have thought that I was this kind, even-tempered individual, and that's true most of the time, but my buttons can be pushed. When somebody tests you like that, there is a line that has to be drawn."

The league reviewed tapes of the fight but did not make a decision as of Thursday night, meaning the Sonics likely will find out this morning whether Allen will be available tonight. His loss would be crippling to the Sonics' chances of pulling an upset, but coach Bob Hill said he already has a contingency plan.

"Like I told them many times and we did it (Wednesday) night, you've got to play with who's available," Hill said. "We'll make the best of the situation."

Hill acknowledged that the Heat is more than a formidable opponent.

"They're veterans, they're well coached and got the best center in the past 20 years on their team," he said. "They've got one of the great superstars in Dwyane Wade. Alonzo Mourning could start for a lot of teams."

The Heat has improved under coach Pat Riley, who took over Dec. 13 when Stan Van Gundy resigned amid rumors that Riley wanted his old job back. Miami is 10-5 since the coaching change and seventh in the league in scoring offense behind Wade, Shaquille O'Neal and former Sonic Gary Payton.

The Sonics will more than likely be without Allen, especially since the league has been unforgiving with suspensions since the Brawl at the Palace in Nov. 2004.

Wednesday's altercation did not escalate because Allen and Dooling were quickly separated. Allen said he became irritated when Dooling stripped the ball from him during a Sonics' possession, knocking him to the floor.

Allen became angrier when he caught a Stacey Augmon elbow in the jaw after a rebound. Finally, Dooling began riding Allen down the court and Allen responded with an elbow. After more pushing under the basket, Dooling knocked down Allen with a forearm and then charged him while he was on the ground. Allen tackled Dooling and the two twirled into the stands.

"Any time you see any kind of altercation take place at a sporting event, you regret that it happened," Allen said. "The people involved don't come out looking too rosy so I definitely regret what happened. But it seemed as though it was unavoidable. It was almost like I was attacked and I responded the way any man or woman would respond."

"Dooling should be out for a while for what he did," he said. "You could hurt somebody doing that. I don't know why he did what he did." Dooling made matters worse by trying to meet Allen for a rematch in the tunnel after each were ejected. Dooling later said he wished the incident never occurred.

"I know he ran underneath the tunnel and I guess he tried to meet me on the other side and he got met by some of Seattle's finest," Allen said. "I think once everything cooled down, I think he realized it was ridiculous. Things happen at the heat of the moment, and I guarantee you both parties regret what happened."